Ban The Horn!

Transport chiefs want to ban taxi drivers from sounding their horns outside customers’ homes, but drivers say that could leave them vulnerable to violence. The restriction on private hire and Hackney carriage drivers is the latest in a raft of measures being considered to improve the image of the trade, including introducing dress and behaviour codes and more qualifications for drivers. But today cabbies said the move could put them in danger on some of Preston’s toughest estates, where they would rather stay in their car for personal safety. And one leading taxi operator even declared he would defy the “stupid” ban and refuse to get out of his taxi in some areas. It follows a number of attacks on taxi drivers in recent months, including one who was smashed in the face with a shovel and another who had liquid thrown into his face, burning his eyes. Mick Rooney, who runs Ribbleton Taxis, said: “All it’s doing is putting drivers’ safety at risk and making us an unnecessary target. “They want you to get out of your car and knock on people’s doors at night then, as you’re getting out, somebody comes out from behind a hedge with a baseball bat and robs you. It was only a fortnight ago I had to report to the police about a gang trying to car-jack me at the bottom of Chatsworth Street. “The job is getting more and more dangerous. As soon as you get out of the vehicle you’re at risk. I will continue sounding my horn – I’ll end up in court about it.” But he also said he had started carrying a flash lamp in his car which he shines into people’s homes to let them know he’s outside. And Charlie Oakes, chairman of the Bolton, Bury and Preston Hackney Carriage Association, said: “It’s getting very dangerous out there again and my advice to any driver is don’t get out of your vehicle. “If you’re in a neighbourhood you know is absolutely atrocious, I would support that but if you’re not in that sort of area, just get out of the car and go and knock on the door – it’s just a bit of customer service.” Mark Selley, secretary of Preston Hackney Carriage Association, said: “I wouldn’t advise drivers to pull up outside a house and automatically sound their horn. “You’ve got to put yourself in the position of the neighbours when somebody pulls up outside and does a couple of large blasts on the horn. If a driver’s got any doubts about his safety, maybe he wouldn’t choose to get out of the vehicle but that’s a minority of areas.” The suggestion to ban drivers hooting is part of the council’s draft Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy for 2009-2012, which is currently out for public consultation. Mike Thorpe, of Preston Council, said anyone breaking the rule would get written advice, followed by a written warning and then called before the taxi sub-committee.

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